وَٱغْفِرْ لِأَبِىٓ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ 86
Translations
And forgive my father. Indeed, he has been of those astray.
Transliteration
Wa-ighfir li-abee innahu kaana mina ad-daalleen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is part of Prophet Ibrahim's supplication to Allah, where he humbly asks for forgiveness for his father who had died upon disbelief and misguidance. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that Ibrahim's prayer demonstrates his compassion and filial piety, yet Allah's response (in verses 87-88) clarifies that one cannot intercede for those who persist in associating partners with Allah. This ayah illustrates the limits of intercession and the importance of one's own faith in determining one's salvation.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Ash-Shu'ara (a Meccan chapter) during Ibrahim's narrative, where he recounts his spiritual journey and relationship with his father Azar, who rejected monotheism. The surah emphasizes the struggles of the prophets in calling people to tawheed (monotheism), and Ibrahim's prayer reflects the emotional difficulty of witnessing a loved one remain in disbelief despite sincere efforts to guide them.
Related Hadiths
The theme connects to a hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said that no one's deeds alone will enter Paradise except through Allah's mercy, reinforcing that even the righteous must rely on divine grace. Additionally, Surah At-Tahrim (66:10-11) references the wife of Nuh and Lot who disbelieved, showing that family ties do not override the judgment based on one's own faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to balance compassion for family members with the reality that each soul bears responsibility for its own faith—we may supplicate for loved ones' guidance, but ultimately their acceptance or rejection of truth rests with Allah. It reminds us that true love sometimes means accepting difficult truths about those we care for while maintaining hope in Allah's infinite mercy.